Recipes, Vegetable Forward

Kachi Keri Nu Shaak

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In beginning of Spring, you start to see various varieties of mango in markets of India. Some unripe varieties are used for making pickles. Some of these mangoes are also used in making chaats, chutneys, curries and salads. This unripe (kachi) mango (keri) nu shaak (curry) is similar to mango chutney but uses pickle masala (made from fenugreek seeds) which is the same masala used for making mango pickle. This curry is a sweet and sour, and we usually eat with khichdi. It goes well with flat bread also, in picture it’s serve with bhakhri.

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Kachi Keri Nu Shaak

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Serves: 4

Sweet and Sour Unripe Mango Curry
Ingredients
  • 1 large unripe mango or 3 small unripe mangoes
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup or more water
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds
  • ¼ teaspoon asafetida
  • 2 whole dried chilies
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon dhana-jeeru (spice blend of ground coriander and cumin)
  • ½ cup or more jaggary or brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons methi no masalo (fenugreek seed pickle masala)
Directions
  1. Peel and cut mango into ¾ inch chunks. Remove as much mango as possible around pit, even if they are small pieces. Taste piece of mango for sourness.
  2. Transfer mango pieces to medium sized sauce pan. Cover with ½ cup water and season with salt. Cover the pan with a lid and cook mango for 3 to 4 minutes. Alternately, you can cook mango in microwave safe bowl. Mango should be soft but not mushy.
  3. Remove mango from pan along with remaining water or keep in the bowl.
  4. Heat oil in the same pan until shimmering, 1 minute. Add mustard seeds and let it pop. Immediately add asafetida and whole chilies. Add mango along with water. If there is not enough water to cover mango, add ¼ cup water. Let it come to boil and add ½ cup jaggery or brown sugar. If mango is too sour, add 1 or 2 tablespoons more jaggery or brown sugar. Add turmeric and chili powder. Stir to combine everything and let mango cook uncovered until jaggery or brown sugar is completely melt, 3 to 4 minutes. Add more water if necessary to avoid contents sticking to pot.
  5. Add pickle masala, dhana-jeeru and let shaak cook for 3 to 4 minutes more. Taste shaak and adjust seasoning. It should be sweet and sour with gravy, add more jaggery or sugar and water if necessary. Cook for couple of minutes more. Serve with khichadi and/or flat bread. It stores well in refrigerator for 2 to 3 weeks.

 

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Street Food

Gota (fritters)

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Gota (fritters) are made with chickpea flour and vegetables. The most common type of gota is methi (fenugreek) ni bhaji (greens) na gota (fritters). Fenugreek greens are widely available during winter months. Gota is very popular street food and usually eaten as a snack with hot tea. When you buy gota from a street vendor or farsan (savory food) shop, you will also get kathi chutney,  Green Papaya Cachumber and stir fried green chilies, especially in Gujarat.

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Methi ni Bhaji na Gota

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Serves: 4

Fenugreek greens fritters
Ingredients
  • 2 cups chickpea flour or more
  • ½ cup coarse whole wheat flour or cream of wheat
  • ¼ cup yogurt or buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups packed chopped methi ni bhaji (fenugreek greens either fresh or frozen, thawed)
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro
  • 2 jalapeno or serrano chili, minced
  • 2-inch piece of ginger, peeled and minced
  • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds, toasted and crushed
  • ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • 3 teaspoons salt
  • 4 teaspoons sugar
  • Water as needed
  • Canola or similar oil for frying
Directions
  1. In a medium sized mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup water, olive oil and yogurt or buttermilk. Add chickpea flour and ¼ cup of wheat flour or cream of wheat. Combine flour with water, if some dry flour remains, it is fine.
  2. Add spices, greens and rest of ingredients (except water). Combine with flour and if batter is too dry gradually add more water until thick fritter batter forms. Let batter rest for an hour.
  3. Heat oil in a frying pan until ready to fry.
  4. Just before frying, add remaining wheat flour or cream of wheat. Check the consistency of batter. If it too thick, add more water to thin out. If it is too thin, add more chickpea flour. Taste seasoning and adjust according to taste. If you want to make spicier, add more chili powder.
  5. Once oil is hot enough to fry, drop about 2 tablespoons of batter for a fritter with your hands or small ice cream scoop. Drop 6-7 fritters in hot oil and fry them until golden brown and crunchy, 3 to 4 minutes. Repeat until all batter is gone. You can let excess oil drip from fritters on a paper towel lined plate or wired racked pan.
  6. Serve warm and accompanied with any one or more condiments like cilantro chutney, kathi chutney, green papaya cachumber and cucumber raita. Can be served as a snack or an appetizer.
Notes
You can also make this same recipe with spinach.

 

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Recipes, Vegetable Forward

Stuffed Vegetables

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Ringal Bataka na Ravaiya

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Serves: 4

The stuffed vegetables are known as Ravaiya or bharelu skaak.
Ingredients
  • 4 small ringan (Indian eggplant)
  • 4 small red or yellow bataka (potatoes)
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • ¼ teaspoon asafetida or 1 clove of garlic, finely minced
  • 3 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped, divided
Stuffing:
  • ¼ cup chickpea flour
  • 3 tablespoons ground peanuts (optional)
  • ¼ cup dhana-jeeru (spice blend of ground coriander and cumin)
  • 2 teaspoons salt or to taste
  • 4 teaspoons sugar or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • ¼ teaspoon garam masala
  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 serrano or jalapeno pepper, finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions
  1. Wash eggplants and potatoes, and pat dry. Make an X cut on ⅓ of eggplant on stemless side, keeping the stem. Make an X cut on ⅓ of potato on one side. Repeat the same with rest of eggplants and potatoes.
  2. Combine stuffing ingredients plus 2 tablespoons of cilantro into a medium mixing bowl. Gently widen an eggplant and stuff it by gently pushing stuffing down by hand. Try not to break it and not over stuffed it. Repeat the same with rest of eggplants and potatoes. If any stuffing remains, keep it aside.
  3. In a large non-stick pan, heat oil on a medium high heat, about 2 minutes. Once oil is hot, add cumin seeds and let them sizzle. Add mustard seeds and let them sizzle. Add asafetida or garlic. With garlic, sauté it for a minute. Lower the heat and arrange stuffed eggplants and potatoes in a pan in a single layer. Increase heat to medium, cover the pan and let vegetables cook until tender, 12 to 15 minutes, stirring gently few times. Sprinkle any remaining stuffing on top of the vegetables during half way of cooking.
  4. Garnish with remaining cilantro before serving. Serve warm with any Indian flat bread.
Easier Method:
  1. Cut eggplants and potatoes into quarters.
  2. Combine stuffing ingredients plus 2 tablespoons of cilantro into a medium mixing bowl.
  3. In a large non-stick pan, heat oil on a medium high heat, about 2 minutes. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle. Add mustard seeds and let them sizzle. Add asafetida or garlic. With garlic, sauté it for a minute. Lower the heat and arrange eggplants and potatoes in a pan in a single layer. Increase heat to medium, cover the pan and let vegetables cook for 5 minutes. Uncover pan, stir the vegetables and sprinkle stuffing on top of the vegetables evenly. Cover the pan and let vegetables cook until tender, 7 to 8 minutes, stirring gently few times.
  4. Garnish with remaining cilantro before serving. Serve warm with any Indian flat bread.

 

 

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Bhinda na Ravaiya

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Serves: 4

Ingredients
  • 1 lb. bhinda (okra)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon brown mustard seeds
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • ⅛ teaspoon asafetida
Stuffing:
  • ¼ cup chickpea flour
  • 3 tablespoons ground peanuts (optional)
  • ¼ cup dhana-jeeru (spice blend of ground coriander and cumin)
  • 2 teaspoons salt or to taste
  • 4 teaspoons sugar or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • ⅛ teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions
  1. Wash okras and dry it with paper towel. Okras should be as dry as possible otherwise it will become slimy. Remove stem, and ¼ inch end of okras, and cut large okras into half. Make a cut in okra almost to half point on one side and another cut almost to half point on other side in opposite direction. Repeat the same with remaining okras.
  2. Combine stuffing ingredients into a medium mixing bowl. Gently widen okra on one side and stuff it by gently pushing stuffing down by hand. Repeat the same on other side. Try not to break it and not over stuffed it. Repeat the same with rest of okras. If any stuffing remains, keep it aside.
  3. In a large non-stick pan, heat oil on a medium high heat, about 2 minutes. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle. Add mustard seeds and let them sizzle. Add asafetida. Lower the heat and arrange stuffed okra in a pan in a single layer. Increase heat to medium, cover the pan and let okra cook until tender, 10 to 12 minutes, stirring gently few times. Sprinkle any remaining stuffing on top of the vegetables during half way of cooking. Once okras are cooked, lower the heat, uncover the pan and let okras cook until it becomes dry and crispy, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes.
  4. Serve warm with any Indian flat bread.
Easier Method:
  1. Wash okras and dry it with paper towel. Okras should be as dry as possible otherwise it will become slimy. Remove stem, and ¼ inch end of okras, and cut large okra into half. Cut okras into quarters.
  2. Combine stuffing ingredients into a medium mixing bowl.
  3. In a large non-stick pan, heat oil on a medium high heat, about 2 minutes. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle. Add mustard seeds and let them sizzle. Add asafetida. Lower the heat and arrange okra in a pan in a single layer. Increase heat to medium, cover the pan and let okra cook for 5 minutes. Uncover pan, stir okra and sprinkle stuffing on top of okra evenly. Initially okras will be slimy but as it cooks it will become less slimy. Cover the pan and let okras cook until tender, 6 to 7 minutes, stirring gently few times. Once okras are cooked, lower the heat, uncover the pan and let okras cook until it becomes dry and crispy, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes.
  4. Serve warm with any Indian flat bread.

 
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Maracha na Ravaiya

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Serves: 4

Ingredients
  • 1 lb. small or baby assorted peppers (15 to 18 peppers)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon brown mustard seeds
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • ⅛ teaspoon asafetida
Stuffing:
  • ½ cup chickpea flour
  • ¼ cup ground peanuts (optional)
  • ½ cup dhana-jeeru (spice blend of ground coriander and cumin)
  • 3 teaspoons salt or to taste
  • 6 teaspoons sugar or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • ⅛ teaspoon garam masala
  • ⅛ teaspoon chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions
  1. Wash peppers and pat dry. Make a T cut on one side of pepper and carefully remove seeds and membrane. Keep the stem.
  2. Combine stuffing ingredients into a medium mixing bowl. Stuff the peppers one by one with stuffing either by hand or with a ¼ teaspoon measuring spoon. If any stuffing remains, keep it aside.
  3. In a large non-stick pan, heat oil on a medium high heat, about 2 minutes. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle. Add mustard seeds and let them sizzle. Add asafetida. Lower the heat and arrange stuffed peppers in a pan in a single layer. Increase heat to medium, cover the pan and let peppers cook until soft but not mushy, 10 to 12 minutes. Sprinkle any remaining stuffing on top of the peppers during half way of cooking. The bottom of peppers will caramelize during cooking and it will add nice flavor.
  4. Can be served warm as a side dish and/or with any Indian flat bread.

 
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Karela na Ravaiya

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Serves: 4

I have learned this recipe of stuffed bitter melons from my sister-in-law Ushabhabhi.
Ingredients
  • 5 to 6 small karela (Indian bitter melons)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon brown mustard seeds
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, for garnish
Stuffing:
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium shallot, roughly chopped
  • 1 clove of garlic, roughly chopped
  • 1 jalapeno or serrano pepper, roughly chopped
  • 1 inch of piece ginger, roughly chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon garam masala
  • ¼ cup chickpea flour
  • 2 tablespoons ground peanuts (optional)
  • ¼ cup dhana-jeeru (spice blend of ground coriander and cumin)
  • 3 teaspoons salt or to taste
  • 6 teaspoons sugar or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon aamchoor (dry mango powder)
Directions
  1. Wash and pat dry karela. Cut ¼ inch of both ends and peel the rough skip. Keep the skin aside. Cut karela in half and scoop out the pulp with seeds. Discard the big seeds and combine the pulp with saved skin.
  2. In a food processor, pulse shallot until finely minced.
  3. In small pan, heat one tablespoon olive oil on medium heat. Add shallots and pinch of salt. Let shallot caramelize on low heat until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
  4. While shallot is cooking, add skin and pulp of karela, garlic, green pepper, and ginger in food processor bowl. Pulse until finely minced.
  5. Once shallot is brown, add above mixture and garam masala. Stir everything and let it cook for 2 minutes. Let it cool down for 10 to 15 minutes.
  6. Combine rest of the stuffing ingredients and remaining olive oil in a medium mixing bowl. Add cooled mixture and combine. Stuff melon halves with stuffing. If any stuffing remains, keep it aside.
  7. In a large non-stick pan, heat oil on a medium high heat, about 2 minutes. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle. Add mustard seeds and let them sizzle. Lower the heat and arrange stuffed melon halves in a pan in a single layer. Increase heat to medium, cover the pan and let melon cook until tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Sprinkle any remaining stuffing on top of the vegetables during half way of cooking.
  8. Garnish with cilantro before serving. Serve warm with any Indian flat bread.
Notes
Karela is extremely bitter. If you want to remove some of the bitterness, before cooking it, sprinkle about teaspoon of salt on them and transfer them to a colander. Transfer colander to baking dish or a pan to catch drippings. Let karela stand for 30 minutes to an hour and proceed with the recipe.

 
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Stuffed Brussels Sprouts

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Serves: 4

Ingredients
  • 1 lb. Brussels sprouts
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • ¼ teaspoon asafetida
Stuffing:
  • ¼ cup chickpea flour
  • 3 tablespoons ground peanuts (optional)
  • ¼ cup dhana-jeeru(spice blend of ground coriander and cumin)
  • 2 teaspoons salt or to taste
  • 4 teaspoons sugar or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • ¼ teaspoon garam masala
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
Directions
  1. Wash Brussels sprouts and pat dry. Trim the dark end and wilted leaves. Make an X cut on ⅓ of Brussels sprouts on coreless side.
  2. Combine stuffing ingredients into a medium mixing bowl. Gently widen a Brussels sprout and stuff it by gently pushing stuffing down by hand. Try not to break and over stuffed it. Repeat the same with rest of Brussels sprouts. If any stuffing remains, keep it aside.
  3. In a large non-stick or cast iron pan, heat oil on a medium high heat, about 2 minutes. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle. Add mustard seeds and let them sizzle. Add asafetida, sauté it for 30 seconds. Lower the heat and arrange stuffed Brussels sprouts in a pan in a single layer. Increase heat to medium, cover the pan and let them cook until tender, 7 to 8 minutes, stirring gently few times. Sprinkle any remaining stuffing on top of the Brussels sprouts during half way of cooking.
  4. Uncover the pan; lower the heat to low and let Brussels sprouts caramelized for 3 to 5 minutes without stirring.
  5. Serve warm as an appetizer or side dish. Can be served with Indian flat bread also.

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Beans & Legumes, Recipes

Rajma

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Quick Rajma

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Serves: 4

Dark Red Kidney Bean Soup
Ingredients
  • 2 15.5 oz. cans dark red kidney beans
  • ½ a 15.5 oz. can of lentils
  • 1 small yellow or red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 small tomato, ¼ inch diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1 jalapeno or serrano chili, finely chopped
  • 1 inch piece of ginger, finely minced
  • 3 tablespoons canola or neutral oil
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 9 to 10 curry leaves
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon dhana-jeeru (spice blend of ground coriander and cumin)
  • ½ teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon kasuri methi (dry fenugreek leaves), available in Indian grocery stores
  • 1 teaspoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • Water as needed
Directions
  1. Rinse and drain the kidney beans from cans and set it aside.
  2. Heat oil in a medium soup pot or a Dutch oven on a medium-high heat. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle. Add onion and sauté it until light golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Add garlic, green chili, curry leaves and all the dry spices. Sauté everything until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Next add tomato paste and sauté for a minute. Add tomatoes, ginger and sauté for 2 minutes.
  3. Add beans, lentils and ½ cup of water. Season with salt. Cover the pot and let rajma cook for 7 to 10 minutes. Uncover, add lemon juice and cook for 2 more minutes. Adjust the seasoning. If rajma is too dry, add some water.
  4. Serve warm with Nan or Paratha and over rice.

 

 

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Instant Pot Rajma

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Serves: 4

Ingredients
  • 1 cup dry dark red kidney beans
  • ½ cup masoor dal (red split lentils)
  • 1 small yellow or red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 small tomato, ¼ inch diced
  • 1 small russet potato, ¼ inch diced (optional)
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1 jalapeno or serrano chili, finely chopped
  • 1 inch piece of ginger, finely minced
  • 3 tablespoons canola or neutral oil
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 9 to 10 curry leaves
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon dhana-jeeru (spice blend of ground coriander and cumin)
  • ½ teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon kasuri methi (dry fenugreek leaves), available in Indian grocery stores
  • 1 teaspoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • Water as needed
Directions
  1. Pick through kidney beans and soak in 2 cups of water for 6 to 8 hours or until beans are soft. (Soaking is optional but it will speed up cooking process).
  2. Rinse masoor dal, transfer to a small bowl and add ½ cup of water. Let it soak for at least half an hour. (Soaking is optional but it will speed up cooking process).
  3. Set instant pot to saute setting for 30 minutes. Once hot, heat oil until shimmering. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle. Add onion and sauté it until light golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Add garlic, green chili, curry leaves and all the dry spices. Sauté everything until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Next add tomato paste and sauté for a minute. Add tomatoes, ginger and sauté for 2 minutes.
  4. Add beans, dal with water and potatoes. If beans are not cover with water, add more water. Season with salt. Cover the pot and set to pressure cooker setting for 45 minutes. For unsoaked beans, increase time to one hour. Once cooking time is over, release steam (you can also wait until pressure is off). Uncover pot, add lemon juice. Adjust the seasoning. If rajma is too dry, add some water and let it cook on saute setting for 3-4 minutes.
  5. Serve warm with Nan or Paratha and over rice.

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Recipes, Vegetable Forward

Makai no Chevado

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Makai no Chevado

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Serves: 6 servings

This is my cousin Sukeshi's recipe of spicy corn (makai) pudding. The way she makes it, it tastes exactly like her mother's (my aunt Ramamasi) famous Makai No Chevado. In summer, we used to have Chevada party with friends and family and my aunt used to make Makai No Chevado.
Ingredients
  • 2 lbs. Fresh corn, shucked and grated (about 3 cups corn pulp)
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 3 tablespoons or more olive oil or coconut oil
  • 1 ½ teaspoons brown mustard seeds
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • ½ teaspoon asafetida
  • 2 dry red chilies (optional)
  • 10 to 12 curry leaves
  • 2 jalapeno or serrano chilies, minced
  • 1 inch piece of ginger, minced
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon ground clove
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons grated fresh coconut
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro, for garnish
Directions
  1. Heat oil in a wok or a frying pan on medium high heat until shimmering. Add mustard seeds and let them sizzle. Add dry red chilies, asafetida and sesame seeds. Immediately add curry leaves, green chilies and ginger and sauté it for 30 seconds.
  2. Add corn pulp in to this vaghar (tadka). Add dry spices to corn pulp. Stir the mixture to combine everything. Reduce heat to low and sauté the corn pulp until translucent and most of the water is evaporated, about 30 minutes. It will release some oil also. While sautéing if corn sticks on bottom, add more oil.
  3. Increase the heat to medium and add the milk, stirring constantly. Let milk come to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pan and let it simmer for 30 to 40 minutes. Stir the Chevado in between so that it does not stick to the bottom and milk does not boil over.
  4. Once the mixture has reached soft pudding like consistency, add salt, half of coconut and lime juice. Stir properly and let it simmer on the low heat until it starts releasing oil, about 10 minutes. If the Chevado is too dry you can add some water.
  5. Remove from the heat and garnished with remaining coconut and cilantro. Serve warm as a side dish or with Puri. Serve lime quarters on the side.

 

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